Written Answers Nos. 57-73
57. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she expects to issue a notice for applications under stream 3 of the arts and culture capital scheme, which will provide grant aid for community-based arts groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36921/16]
View answerEarlier this year, I launched a new €9m investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on securing and enhancing our arts and culture infrastructure. The scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. The closing date for receipt of applications was in September and applications received are now undergoing evaluation. Awards will be announced in the near future.
I will also be announcing shortly a subset of the scheme with grants of up to €20,000 for community or voluntary organisations. The details of this funding stream are being finalised and will open for applications shortly.
58. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when she will publish the report ordered by her into the mauling of a hare at a coursing event in Ballinagar, County Offaly, on 29 October 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36867/16]
View answer62. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to recent evidence that suggests her previous statements that hare coursing was well regulated and avoided any harm to hares were mistaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37214/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 62 together.
Officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department attended the Ballinagar coursing meeting and are examining the video footage provided in relation to the meeting. This may result in discussions with the local coursing club and the Irish Coursing Club. I will be happy to make relevant reports available following the completion of this process.
In August this year, my Department issued licences under the Wildlife Acts to the Irish Coursing Club, covering its affiliated coursing clubs, to capture and tag hares for use at regulated hare coursing meetings for the 2016/17 coursing season, which extends from the end of September 2016 to the end of February 2017.
There are a total of 26 conditions which are associated with the licences issued to the Irish Coursing Club. These conditions which have been developed and refined over a number of years cover a wide range of issues including prohibition on coursing hares more than once a day or coursing sick or injured hares, the need for adequate escapes for hares during coursing and releasing hares in daylight hours after meetings.
59. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cad é líon na bpleananna teanga atá i bhfeidhm le níos mó ná trí bliana; cad é líon na gcomhlachtaí poiblí nár réitigh aon phlean go dáta; cad é an líon pleananna teanga a aontaíodh le comhlachtaí poiblí i mbliana faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. [37357/16]
View answerTá próiseas leanúnach ar siúl faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 chun líon agus caighdeán na seirbhísí i nGaeilge a chuireann comhlachtaí poiblí ar fáil a fheabhsú. Maidir le haontú scéimeanna teanga a thagann faoin Acht, is fúmsa, mar Aire, atá sé scéimeanna teanga a dhaingniú le comhlachtaí poiblí. Ón uair a tháinig an tAcht i bhfeidhm, tá dul chun cinn céimnithe déanta chun scéimeanna teanga a dhaingniú. Aontaíodh 19 scéim teanga i mbliana, ina n-airítear 9 chéad scéim, 6 dara scéim agus 4 tríú scéim. Go dáta, tá 116 scéim teanga i bhfeidhm san iomlán, a chlúdaíonn 119 comhlacht poiblí. Déantar scéimeanna teanga a dhaingniú le comhlachtaí poiblí ar bhonn céimnithe agus tá plé gníomhach ar siúl le 117 comhlacht poibli faoi lathair chun scéimeanna teanga a aontú leo, ar a n-áiritear 60 comhlacht a bhfuil scéim le hathnuachan acu agus 57 comhlacht nár réitigh scéim teanga go fóill leo ach gur eisíodh litir chucu faoi alt 11 den Acht.
Clúdaíonn na scéimeanna teanga atá daingnithe mórchuid na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a mbíonn plé idirghníomhach ag an bpobal leo ar bhonn rialta, lena n-áirítear Ranna agus oifigí Stáit, údaráis áitiúla, institiúidí oideachais agus comhlachtaí poiblí eile nach iad.
Tá 47 scéim teanga i bhfeidhm le níos mó ná trí bliana ach, mar is eol don Teachta, fanann scéim teanga i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana nó go dtí go ndéantar athnuachan air, cibé acu is déanaí. Tá mo Roinn lán-tiomanta na gealltanais a neartú agus a láidriú sna dara agus tríú scéimeanna teanga chun na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge a fheabhsú.
60. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that has been made in regard to the purchase of 5,000 acres from NAMA in the Glenasmole valley; if an agreement has been reached; and the terms of the purchase. [37398/16]
View answerThe process to purchase lands at Glenasmole is almost complete and I expect to make a formal announcement in this regard shortly.
61. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans for the Gibbstown Gaeltacht in County Meath. [37409/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Gaeltacht Act 2012 gives statutory effect to the language planning process, under which language plans may be prepared at community level in areas capable of being recognised under the Act as Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns or Irish Language Networks.
In the case of all Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, including Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib in Co. Meath, organisations will be given up to 2 years from the date on which Údar ás na Gaeltachta selects them, to submit a language plan to me, as Minister, for approval in line with the language planning criteria prescribed under section 12 of the Act.
Once a plan has been approved under the Act, organisations will be given 7 years to implement the approved language plans with the assistance of Údarás na Gaeltachta. My Department will periodically review the implementation of the plans during that period.
In accordance with the provisions of section 7(3) of the Act, a notice was published in September 2015 in respect of the Gaeltacht Language Planning Area of Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib, effectively kick-starting the language planning process in the Meath Gaeltacht. It is anticipated that a language plan for Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib will be submitted for approval by September 2017.
In the meantime, as is the case with all other Gaeltacht areas, my Department, in the context of its own remit, and acting in concert with Údarás na Gaeltachta and other relevant stakeholders, will continue to advance the interests of Gaeltacht na Mí by means of the range of schemes, programmes and initiatives currently being deployed to foster language and economic development in the Gaeltacht.
63. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress she has made towards the strategy made in Culture 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37035/16]
View answerI published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach in July this year, which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. The Culture 2025 framework policy sets out:
- a series of high-level objectives under the headings of Enrich, Engage, Participate to establish Government vision in relation to culture and society in Ireland;
- a set of key values, including the intrinsic value of culture, the right to participate in the cultural life of the nation and the role of culture in fostering a more sustainable future in Ireland; and
- a series of priority measures for implementation across Government and public bodies.
I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy, which I will consider when received.
In the meantime, I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.
My Department has, therefore, been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.
I have secured funding of €5m in Budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.
64. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will ensure that the allocation of funding being provided for the arts by her Department is decided by the Arts Council only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37397/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which is independent in its decision-making in regard to the manner in which it disburses the State funding provided to it.
In this regard, I was pleased to secure significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2017 is over €65m. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5m, or 8%, and will allow the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations.
Capital funding for the arts and culture sector is managed and disbursed by my Department. In addition, certain current funding is applied by my Department, both directly and via other bodies and agencies, for the benefit of arts and culture.
I have no plans to change the present arrangements.
65. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of an action plan for rural development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37154/16]
View answerSupporting the economic and social development of rural Ireland is a key priority of the Government, and actions to support this objective will be delivered by a number of Departments and agencies.
The Action Plan for Rural Development will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives right across Government which will benefit rural Ireland. The objective is to bring a joined-up approach to the implementation of economic and social policies that impact on rural communities.
The Action Plan is currently being finalised and I intend to publish it in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I have already introduced a number of practical measures to support rural communities, including through the roll out of initiatives such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the expansion of the REDZ initiative, and the reintroduction of the CLÁR Programme. My Department is also working directly on proposals for the renewal of the post office network, as well as measures to facilitate the roll out of high speed broadband in rural areas once Government contracts are awarded next year under the National Broadband Plan.
66. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when the last meeting of the Cabinet committee on housing took place; and the future plans for meetings. [37414/16]
View answerThe Cabinet Committee on Housing last met on 7 November. It is scheduled to meet again today, 29 November, and again in December.
The Committee is meeting regularly to oversee implementation of the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which is a priority for Government.
67. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach his planned travel schedule to meet international leaders up to the end of 2016. [37416/16]
View answerOn Monday, 28 November, I had a meeting in the Vatican with His Holiness, Pope Francis. Upon my return to Dublin later that day, I met with the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat.
I will attend the next meeting of the European Council on 15 and 16 December. While I do not have any formal bilateral meetings scheduled in the margins of the Council, it would be normal for informal encounters to occur at such an event.
At present, I do not have any other firm plans to meet foreign leaders before the end of December 2016.
68. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of vacancies on boards or agencies within his Department's remit that currently exist; the number that have been filled since 8 May 2016; the number of these that were filled through the Public Appointments Service; and the timeline for filling remaining vacancies. [36655/16]
View answerI appoint the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, and the National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010 - SI 603/2010.
The Statistics Act 1993 gives me authority to make appointments to National Statistics Board (NSB). I have delegated this authority to the Minister of State at my Department and Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty TD.
In the case of the NESC, the legislation provides that I appoint up to 20 members on the nomination of the organisations and interests set out, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members.
The Statistics Act 1993 provides for an eight member National Statistics Board, the Director General of the CSO, ex officio; one representative each from my Department and the Department of Finance, two nominated by the Minister of State and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act.
John Shaw, Assistant Secretary in my Department was appointed to the NSB on 15 September 2016 to fill a casual vacancy. There have been no other appointments to the NSB since 8 May 2016 and there are currently no vacancies.
The five year term of the NESC has expired and consideration of the arrangements for a new Council is ongoing. Where appropriate and consistent with the legislation future vacancies on the NESC and NSB will be advertised through the Public Appointments Service process in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
69. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Taoiseach the date and location of the second plenary all-island civil dialogue. [36923/16]
View answerA second plenary of the All-Island Civic Dialogue will take place in the New Year. This plenary will build on the sectoral discussions that will have taken place by then. No location or date has for this has been finalised yet
70. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form. [36972/16]
View answer71. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of staff from his Department who have appealed against secondment per annum from 2010 to date, in 2016 in tabular form; and the appeals mechanism involved. [36988/16]
View answer72. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of staff from his Department currently seconded to a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and the details of the company. [37004/16]
View answer73. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of staff from his Department currently seconded from a firm in the private sector per annum from 2010 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and the details of the company. [37020/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 to 73, inclusive, together.
The table sets out the number of staff seconded to other Departments or Agencies in the Civil Service per annum from 2010 to date in 2016.
|
Year |
Total number of staff on secondment to other Departments or Agencies in the Civil Service |
|
2010 |
8 |
|
2011 |
9 |
|
2012 |
11 |
|
2013 |
10 |
|
2014 |
13 |
|
2015 |
14 |
|
2016 |
12 |
My Department has not received any appeals from staff in relation to secondments.
As part of the public sector-private sector exchange scheme, a member of staff from my Department went on placement to IBEC and a member of staff from IBEC was placed in my Department from end December 2012 to end August 2013. My Department is also currently hosting a member of staff from PricewaterhouseCoopers on placement under the same scheme.
